BESS ! E WETZELL
U OF ORE
NEWSPAPER LID
EUGENE OR 97403
$53,000 allocated
County buys clinic buildin
p,5 , 11,
hl J v- - 14t ...
SPRINGTIME AGAIN-A forest scene between Johnson
Creek and North Willow Creek.
The Morrow County Court
signed a purchase order with
Boise Cascade Corp. on Feb,
26 for a $42,000 modular
medical clinic measuring 28
feel by 60 feet.
The county made a $5,000
deposit on the clinic Thursday.
The $42,0I0 is the "key-inthe-door"
price which includes the
foundation,
Morrow County will do the
necessary excavation of the
lots The two lots ore being
purchased from Valley View
Kstales at a price of $9,000.
County Judge Paul Jones
reported that the lots had been
valued at $7,200 each but the
price had been reduced to
$4,500 each.
The County Budget Com
mittee, which was present at
the Wednesday meeting,
approved the expenditure of
$53,000 from the current
. year's revenue sharing funds
for the ciinic project. Pre
viously $:i0,ooo of that amount
h;id been approved for the
clinic. The additional $23,000 is
from revenue sharing funds
which have not been used this
year.
The Boise Cascade repre
sentative present told the
court that Drs. Joe Gifford
and Richard Carpenter had
flown to Eugene Saturday to
look at the company's product
and were reportedly pleased
with the court's choice.
Pioneer Memorial Hospital
Administrator Ilene Wyman
reported Friday that the two
doctors have been approved
by the hospital's medical
staff. The medical staff con
sists of Drs. Wallace Wolff,
L.I). Tibbies and II S. Huber.
The hospital board has also
approved the use of two rooms
in the hospital by the two new
doctors for temporary use.
Jones told the Wednesday
meeting that the city planning
commission granted a condi
tional use permit to the county
Monday for erection of the
clinic on the proposed site.
The commission has required
that plans be submitted show
ing storm drainage, drive
ways, parking space for 15
vehicles and landscaping.
Part of this will be done by
Boise Cascade and part by
City Engineer Steve Ander
son. April 15 is still the target
date for completion of the new
clinic, however, that date
seemed in danger during
much of Wednesday's meet
ing. Three local builders were
present to express concern
over the expenditure of funds
on a modular and to question
the procedure used by the
court in awarding the con
tract. Jones explained that the
time limitation and limited
funds could be met only by the
modular type of building.
In answer to the protest that
formal bids had not been
called for, the Judge explain
ed that the court had asked the
legal opinion of District Attor
ney Dennis Doherty and
Attorney Herman Winter. The
legal opinion was that a
contract for a commercial
structure which does not
exceed $50,000 in a county
such as Morrow is not
required by law to be put up
for bid. The court decided not
to lake the bid route because
of added costs of having
architect plans drawn up and
the lime delay factor.
Representatives of Mel
Winter in Pendleton were
present to protest the court's
awarding of the bid on a
structure larger than one they
thought was wanted by the
court or the doctors. The court
voted to grant nejr request
that negotiations be reopened.
The court said it would accept
proposals made that day but
no later. The Winter represen
tative told the court that they
could come up with a proposal
tor a wider structure if that
was what the court wanted,
but they had been led to
believe that the court wanted
a certain size within a stated
price range.
Members of the court,
budget committee and Doc
tors' Search Committee mem
bers who had visited the Mel
Winter display and been
present at a later meeting
with the representatives,
pointed out that on two
different occasions they had
asked the Mel Winter repre
sentative if the modular units
were built any wider and
Were told the units were not.
They added that they had not
requested a different size
because they understood a
wider unit was not built until
the Boise Cascade represen
tative presented the 28-foot-wide
unit to the court.
The Mel Winter represen
tatives said they could make .
phone calls and get rough
estimates that afternoon.
Jones suggested that the court
take a few days longer to let
them bring in a new bid based
on the court's specifications.
Commissioners Homer Hugh
es and Warren McCoy said
that would only delay things
further, there had been
enough delay as it was and a
decision had to be made
immediately.
Representatives of the Doc
tors" Search Committee were
asked if Drs. Gifford and
Carpenter would indeed go
somewhere else to set up
practice if there was any more
' delay. The court was assured
the doctors would. A commit
tee spokesman told the court:
"These doctors have been
very patient but they have
bcon invited to practice else
where and told us last week
they would have to take that
offer if a decision could no! be
reached. Because they decid
ed to come to Heppner, their
contract with Dr. Easton in
Pendleton has been terminat
ed three months earlier than it
would have been and they will
soon be out of work.
"If we loose these doctors it
u ill be very difficult to recruit
other doctors to Heppner and
our committee could not
consider doing any further
recruitment until there is a
clinic ready for use by a
doctor. Every doctor we have
talked to has asked about
clinic facilities We could not
waste the public's money on
futile recruitment.
"We would like to make it
clear that these doctors have
not made any demands con
cerning the clinic. They have
on several occasions been
asked their opinion and have
given the requested opinion."
(Continued on page 2)
THE
GAZETTE-TIME
Vol. 92, NO. 3
Heppner, Ore., Mar. 6, 1975
15c
$2,272,309 requested
Doherty explains record school budget
Morrow County School Supt. Mali Doherty spoke to the
members ol the chamber of commerce Monday on the new
promised school budget for the new year.
The prox.ed requirements for the 1975-76 school year
amount to $2,272,309, an increase of $.146,012 or 17 96 per cent
out last year's budget,
Total resources amount to $647,754. This sum Is the money
received for state support. However, the amount to be
received is still up in the air, Doherty said. For at the time '
the budget was presented the amount was in the
neighborhood of 20-25 per cent, but according to latest reports
it may be increased to 30 per cent.
Taxes required to balance the budget amount to $1,574,555,
and taxes not to be received amount to $190,402. Taxes not to
t be rm-ived are taxe that are levied and not collected.
Taxes within the 6 per cent limitation amount to $4:19,771.
This is the amount of money raised in Morrow County. For
this reason all that is outside the 6 per cent limitation or
$1 .'li'.VIiw; must be raised t,' taxation.
"There is a considerable increase in the budget this year,"
said Doherty, "and it is one of those things we have grappled
with, but because of the many factors involved, the
committee has come hack time and again, and the only
solution we can come up with is Inflation,
"The inflation figure is something that has to be faced, as It
is the primary reason for the increase. The tax levy increase
amounts to $278,900. an increase of 18.8 per cent."
"The tax levy will cost $2 20 per $1,000 of the true cash
value, and this figure is based on the assessed valuation of
Morrow County, which is in excess of $26 million.
"This tax rate w ill change as we now have property that is
being re appraised, and we also have some property that is
not on the tax roll, namely some property in the north end of
the county," Doherty explained.
The budget is divided into 11 areas, with administration at
the head of the list Administration includes salaries, one of
Ihe largest increases.
Although cost of living has risen 1.1.5 per cent, teacher
salaries are increased 11 mt cent.
"The hoard carried out negotiations with the taxpayer in
mind, and the teachers are also concerned with the cost of
living, so with this in mind and with the help of a mediator,
they finally reached an agreement which amounts to a
considerable increase," he said.
There are presently 9t certificated staff members and this
figure also includes secretaries, persons who are not
teachers but who deal with leaching.
"Paper products have zoomed, and they have increased
more than too per cent within the past two years. The cost of
IcvtlxMiks has risen more than 20 per cent, and we are in the
process of making some new adoptions this year, and this
also had to Ik- figured into this series.
"We are a rural. school district and transportation is a big
factor in our district." said Doherty. "We do transport a lot of
our students, and we do have to maintain a bus fleet. The bus
fleet is maintained just as any other type of equipment and
depreciates and has to be replaced.
"We are replacing three new buses this year and we find
that the cost is pretty high. We were underbudgeted in this
area this year, and we planned on replacing buses until the
board found that we were going to have to pinch pennies. So
we are planning on purchasing last year's model bus and
another that has some miles on it to stay within the budget
figures."
Plant operation includes salaries that are also a factor. A
custodial iorce operates and maintains the plant.
.Heat, water and electricity were underbudgeted last year,
it ? said, and although there was a considerable increase last
year, these items have had to be increased again.
The school district also has a number of older buildings
that have to be maintained and repaired, and they require a
lot of upkeep.
"Retirement, social security and the likes, has climbed
considerably for many of these areas are affected by
salaries. The board did agree to increase their insurance
support to the staff this year: the increase is up 31 per cent,
the largest increase in the budget.
"Student activities are up 15.1 per cent, and one of the
reason for the increase is the interest in girls sports. The
additional sports require more officiating and the officials
are asking for more money. It is interesting to note that the
increase in activities does not cost more than shown, but the
collection of fees are used to offset student activities.
"Capital outlay, improvement of sites, shows a reduction
of 45.2 per cent. This included the purchase of some new
equipment, so the board decided to do w ithout the equipment.
"Operation contingencies are up considerably and because
we are unabl" to project the increase in student population.
We hear all kinds of rumors and some figures regarding the
population in the north end of the county, and we will
probably use most of this money for temporary classrooms if
they are needed for additional instruction.
"Although we have had an increase in salaries, the
addition of six new teachers is also considered. Two of the
teachers are for emergency purposes, as we are not sure
what the situation will be in the north end, but we do
anticipate an increase, and we feel that we will need at least
two new teachers. The remainder of the teachers will be
spread out in the various schools, w ith some working part
lime. A federal program that has been operating at one
school will have to be replaced with a district operated
program this year.
"Today there are 1,322 students and it is interesting to note
that at this time last year there were 1,106 students. When
school opened this year there were 1.264 students. The
increase of 216 students is the equivalent of another school
the size of lone, and the school district has been fortunate
that the increase in students has been the way it has. for if the
increase of 216 students had been all at the north end we
would have had some real problems. The increase has come
at the north end as well as Heppner High School and the
elementary schools. Additional students mean more books
and desks.
"We anticipate the same amount of increase next year, and
if the increase comes we will also require additional teaching
staff."
Follow ing his talk on the budget Doherty was asked, "What
are the options if the school budget does not pass?" "If the
budget does not pass," he replied, "my first option is to take
the budget back to the committee and it will make the
necessary changes after reviewing the items, making the
necessary cuts in the budget. It may be necessary to cut the
six new teachers and the athletic programs that are
underway.
"What affect will this have on girls sports?"
"It will have some effect, I am sure," said Doherty, "as we
are thinking of paying for some of the girls sports this year as
this is included in the budget. As time goes on we will
probably see demands for more girls sports."
Doherty stated that polling places will be open from 8 a.m.
to 8 p.m. in the communities as well as the Lexington office.
OSHA rules state-enforced
Farmers must meet new safety code
Kit Ream, supervisor of the Accident Prevention Division
of the Workmen's Compensation Board, Pendleton,
addressed an audience of 70 farmers in the area Wednesday
night at Heppner High School, advising them of changes In
Ihe State of Oregon's safety and first aid codes which go into
effect April 1. 1975.
Many of the farms in the area will soon be visited by safety
inspectors who will be looking for unsafe measures practiced
bv Ihe farmer. Prior to making any inspections, the Inspector
will properly identify himself and then with the farmer
accompanying him he will look for any violations.
What if the farmer isn't home when the inspector calls?
"In many cases, Ream said, if the farmer is not at home
when the inspector arrives, he must obtain permission
from the farmer's wife, or in the absence of both, he may ask
(he foreman to show him about the ranch. It is the contention
of the court that Ihe foreman is the agent when the farmer is
absent."
If Ihe owner is home the inspector will make a check of
shops and machinery. Upon completion of the inspection he
will tell the farmer of the violations, if any, that he has found
and what corrective measures need to be taken.
The inspector will file a report showing any violations and
the farmer will receive a citation in the mail telling of the
violations. Once the farmer receives the citation he has 15
days to ask for an extension of time to make the necessary
corrections. Should the farmer refuse to ask for a time
extension and the corrective measures not be made, the
farmer will face a fine up to $500.
Ream stated that about 2 per cent of the farms are in
violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Ream stressed the point that the inspector is to make every
effort to contact the farmer, his wife or an agent prior to
making an investigation of the premises, and under no
condition is the inspector to make a survey of the premises
without the proper consent. Should he be asked to leave, the
insH'ctor is to leave the property.
Ream also suggested that the farmer, when accompanying
the inspector, also take notes of the various facilities and
upon completion of the inspection notes of the farmer and
those of the inspector should agree. The farmer will not
receive a copy of the inspector's notes telling of the
violations.
If any violation exists, the farmer will be sent a citation
Compiled from the inspector's notes and sent by registered
mail.
If the farmer decides to contest the inspector's findings
there are six methods which can be used. However, most of
the complaints between the farmer and the inspector are
settled through an informal conference on the local level at
the Pendleton office. The second step is through a formal
conference at Salem. The remainder of the steps are through
the courts, at which time the farmer must be represented by
counsel.
Ream stated that inspectors working out of the Pendleton
office are presently working seven counties, and the areas
being inspected are the ones that have had accidents in the
past. Any firm that has problems can be expected to be
visited more often if they keep having accidents.
If any employer has seven or more employees at one time
during the year he is required to keep a record of work
related injuries and illnesses which occur on or after Jan. 1,
1975.
To clarify this statement Ream said, "If an employer has
two men working full time during the year and hires another
five to six men during harvest time, he must keep the
records."
Asked to explain a recordable injury, Ream replied, "If an
employee is taken to the doctor for any minor injury and the
injury needs to be sutured by the doctor, that is a recordable
injury." First aid treatment cannot be termed a recordable
injury.
If a workman injures himself and is taken to a hospital for
examination and X-rays and an examination by a doctor
reveals nothing, the injury is not a recordable injury.
The audience asked Ream to define the difference between
an employee and an employer, as many farmers hire certain
men to perform duties during the year. Ream explained, "If
you hire a man with a tractor to plow a field, he is your
employee. On the other hand, if you hire a group of men to
bale hay, the man in charge is the employer. If something
happens and he does not have insurance, you will be
responsible, so please take the time to check and to see that
they have insurance, in other words, read the fine print, and
if there is any doubt, contact the Workmen's Compensation
Board.
"There were seven fatalities in Oregon last year," said
Ream, "and most of the accidents were caused by
carelessness. 92 out of every 100 accidents are caused by
man, who is his own worst enemy, yet the responsibility of
the accident falls on the employer."
"The idea is not to investigate after an accident has
happened, but to try and prevent accidents from happening,"
remarked Ream.
The second portion of the meeting dealt with first aid and
some regulations that become effective April 1.
As of April 1, if an employer has two or more employees at
any one time he must have a person trained in first aid on the
job. The person must show that he has completed first aid
training through the Red Cross or equivalent courses in the
past three years.
The-employer must provide immediate and emergency
care for injured or ill workers.
First aid kit supplies must be readily available to
employees. Ream said. Supplies may be purchased from a
drug store and the employer may make his own kit as long as
the bandages are clean and are kept in a container that will
prevent deterioration and protect them from contamination.
The employees must be informed what to do and w hom to
call in the case of an emergency. This does not mean that a
trained person must be always at the side of other
employees; however, they should be checked on periodically.
Iodine and ointments can no longer be kept in first aid kits,
and the bandages need only be clean, not sterile, he pointed
out.
A lie-down space must be provided so that injured or ill
employees can lie down until further treatment is
determined.
"Some employers are using a spare bedroom in their
homes as a designated lie-down area, others a designated
place in their work shop."
Employers must develop an Emergency Medical Plan
(EMP), which will insure that employees suffering major
illness or injuries on the job will receive medical care as soon
as possible. The minimum EMP must include the follow ing
information and must be posted at the place of employment :
names and telephone numbers of ambulance service and
hospital. In addition, a definite plan of action to be followed
must be used. The plan of action must include arrangements
for communication and transportation with provisions to
contact a doctor, ambulance and hospital.
All employees must know of the first aid requirements and
the employer's EMP.
"We do not expect you to keep a blanket out by a combine,
and a lie-down area can be a piece of plywood in your shop,
but it should be some place that is protected from the
elements of the weather."
A question was raised as to the rendering of first aid and
the possibility of being sued if the person should die.
According to the Red Cross, Ream said, "there is no case on
record where anyone has ever been sued for rendering first
aid to an injured person." ,